Cotton-treating machine



Aug. 13, 1929. I SELF COTTON TREATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1928 3 Shets-Sheet l 32' A 1 E l 5 :49 3f z H 3 w I? I 2, I I 2 g g} 1': I I 11 C i wil k I l I I I V 7 INVENTOR. 1/ K2 fO/VQS 62 29:

A TTORNEY.

Aug. 13, 1929. T, SELF 1,724,780

COTTON TREATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Aug. 13, 1929. T. SELF COTTON TREATING MACHINE Filed May 8, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet INVEN TOR. 72 0/v'9s 622,5

ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SELF, on

CROCKETT, TEXAS.

COTTON-TREATING MACHINE.

Application filed May 8,

This invention relates to a cotton treating machine in which the cotton as picked in the field is automatically delivered from the wagons to an initial cleaner in which the dirt and like refuse is separated from the cotton mass, following which the cotton mass is de livered to a boll extractor in which the cotton is separated from the bolls and other vegetable refuse and delivered in a cleanly, flufl'y condition onto a conveyor by which it is directed to a point of further handling, as, for example, a gin stand hopper.

The main object of the present invention is tl e provision of means for utilizing suction and air pressure in the separation of the cotton in the machine, the vacuum being pri marily utilized for the delivery of the cotton to the machine and the pressure bein utilized for the separation of the cotton from the extractors in the boll separator.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for preventing the vacuum or suction force utilized in delivering the cotton to the machine from interfering with the pressure force for separatin the cotton from the extractor, the means designed for preventing this interference being further utilized as a means for feeding the cotton from the cleaning end of the machine to the bell extracting end.

A further object of the invention is the provision of beater elements in the cleaning end of the machine for forcing the cotton against the screen wall, and permitting the physical separation of the dirt and refuse therefrom, the beater elements being utilized to increase the suction efiect in the cleaning end to thereby minimize the directly created suction power additionally necessary for the purpose.

A further object of the invention is the provision in the cleaner end of the machine of means for directing the cotton mass in its travel lengthwise this cleaning end toward the axial center of the cleaner to thereby facilitate the action of the heaters in directing this cotton with force against the screen wall of the cleaner.

A further object is the provision of a screen wall in the boll extractor end of the machine through which the extractors operate and within which wall a series of heaters are arranged serving to direct the cotton bolls against the screen wall and within the in- 1928. Serial No. 276,167.

fluence of the extractors and the provision of to assist in directing the cotton into a position to be reached by the extractors and also serving as an additional force to separate the cotton from the extractors beyond the screen wall.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the improved machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, illustrating particularly the vacuum interrupter.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the machine, portions being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4% of Figure 3, the imperforate casing being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 5 is a broken elevation of one of the saw tooth cotton extractors, the driving belt being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of F igure 3, the outer wall and air conduits being shown in dotted outline.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the machine, showing the independent deliveries of the separated cotton and bolls and other refuse.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the driving means for the upper power shaft.

The improved cotton cleaning machine comprises an upper or cleaning end which also serves the function of a boll breaker, and a lower or cotton extracting end, the machine as an entirety being supported upon an upright skeleton frame 1, certain bars 2 of which extend to a suitable base and other bars 2 of which are supported by the distributor.

The upper or cleaning end of the machine comprises an outer imperforate casing 3 which, while shown as circular, may if desired be square in cross section. The upper end of this casing 3 has a cover section 4 to which opens a delivery pipe 5 connected by any suitable conduit with a source of supply, as for example thecotton mass in the wagon or cart as it is delivered from the field. Below the upper end, the casing 3 is connected at diametrically opposite points with suction conduits 6 which, beyond the machine, merge into a single conveyor leading to a suction fan (not shown).

A cylinder 7 of screen cloth is supported within and arranged in spaced relation to the wall of the casing 3, this perforate cylinder 7 constituting the cleaning cylinder. A power shaft 8 extends vertically of the cleaning end of the machine and centrally of the cleaning cylinder, the respective ends of this shaft being supported in transverse frame bars and the shaft being driven above the cleaning cylinder through the medium of a belt and pulley drive 9. On the shaft within the cleaning cylinder immediately at the exit end of the conduit is a beater element 10, the blades of which are in part turned, as at 11, to create within the conduit 5 the suction force.

On the shaft 8 below the beater 10 are a series of heaters 12, preferably arms radiating from hubs secured to the shaft, which heaters serve to throw the cotton against the wall of the cleaning cylinder and by the force thus generated separate the dirt and like refuse from the cotton, causing such dirt and refuse to pass through the cleaning cylinder into the space between such cleaning cylinder and the casing.

In order that the action of the heaters 12 may be rendered more effective, the inner wall of the cleaning cylinder may be provided with downwardly converging deflectors 13. one or more such being contemplated if desired. These deflectors cause the cotton to be directed toward the shaft 8, following which it is again subjected to beater action in the manner described. Thus, the cotton is alternately thrown against the screen wall or cleaning cylinder, accumulated toward the center of the cylinder and again thrown in contactwith the wall. A most effective separation of the cotton from the dirt and like refuse will result.

in this connection, it is to be noted that the suction force through the conduit 6' is de signed to draw the cotton from the cart or wagon through the conduit 5 into the cleaner and as the beater 10 assists in developing a suction in the conduit 5, it is, of course, apparent that the force otherwise required of the suction fan may be materially reduced. The

suction duty is thus divided and the life of the parts increased.

The cotton cleaned of the dirt and like refuse travels vertically of the machine by gravity and is delivered to the cotton extracting end of the machine. As will later appear, the cotton in the extracting end is subjected to air pressure and hence it is highly important that the vacuum or suction of the cleaning end of the machine be prevented from reaching the boll extracting end. To secure this result I provide what I term a combined vacuum breaker and cotton feeder at the lower end of the cleaning part of the machine.

This element comprises a shaft 1 1 driven from any suitable source of power as by a belt pulley 15 and provided for the full diameter of the cleaning cylinder 7 with radial blades 16. This shaft, of course, extends through the refuse space between the clean ing cylinder 7 and the casing 3 and such shaft is within this refuse space provided with radial blades 17. One wall of the cleaning cylinder 7 is deflected inwardly provid immediately adjacent the plane of movement of the free edges of the blades 16 and spaced from the opposing wall of the cleaning cylinder 7 a distance equal to the peripheral spacing of the free ends of adjacent blades. A feeding chute 19 is arranged immediately below the vacuum breaker, the upper or entrant end being spaced apart in correspondence with the spacing of the free ends of adjacent blades 16 and being aligned with the exit from the cleaning cylinder 7 to the vacuum breaker.

Obviously, the suction created in the cleaning end of the cylinder cannot be transmitted below the vacuum breaker due to the interruption of the air passage. Furthermore, the blades of this vacuum breaker serve to receive the cotton accumulating at the lower end of the cleaner and deliver the same to the chute 19. At the same time the blades 17 serve to interrupt the free air passage between the cleaning cylinder and the casing 3, such blades also serving to deliver the refuse which has been forced through the cleaning cylinder 7 to a point of discharge laterally of the machine arranged immediately below the blades 17, as indicated at 20.

it will be noted that the cotton cleaning end of the machine also serves more or less effectively as a boll breaker. The bolls are thrown by cen rifugal force against the sides of the cleaner and the scouring and spiral motion given the bolls under the in fluence of the air from the paddles provides a very perfect boll breaking process. This, of course, presents the bolls in more or less proper shape for the cotton extractors in the cotton extracting end of the machine.

It is to be noted that the refuse at the cotton cleaning end of the machine, which is delivered through and beyond the cylinder 7, is delivered past the vacuum breaker at the ends thereof and may be carried off by any desired means.

The cotton extracting end of the machine is arranged below the cleaner and the material in the cleaner from which the dirt and like refuse has been separated is delivered into the boll extractor through the conduit 19. This cotton extractor comprises a screen cylinder 21 arranged concentric with a secmg an inclined section 18 which terminates ond power shaft 8, into the open upper end of which screen cylinder 21 the conduit 19 delivers the material. A series of heaters 22 are secured on the shaft 8 within the cylinder 21 and act, of course, to force the descending cotton with a great deal of pressure against the wall of the screen cylinder 21.

The shaft 8 at the cotton extracting end of the machine is in line with the shaft 8 but wholly independent therefrom. The shaft 8 is mounted at its upper end in a transverse frame bar beneath the vacuum breaker and at its lower end in a suitable bearing at the base of the machine, this shaft 8 having a belt and pulley drive 8 for operating the parts of the cotton extracting end.

A series of cotton extractors are arranged concentric with the screen cylinder 21, each comprising a saw tooth cylinder 23, the axis of which is vertical or in parallelism with the wall of the cylinder 21. The operating surfaces of these cylinders are of the conventional saw tooth type, that is, a type of operating surface well known in this art for the purpose of extracting the cotton from the bolls. These extractors, which are arranged in spaced concentric relation to the screen cylinder 21, are supported at their upper and lower ends in bearing rings 24, 25 and the shafts 26 of such extractors are provided with pulleys 27 to permit their connection by a driving belt for simultaneous movement, one of the shafts being extended and provided with a pulley 28 connected by a belt 29 with a suitable source of power, whereby all of the extractors are simultaneously and similarly actuated as will be apparent. The saw tooth periphery of each of the extractors extends within the plane of the cylinder 21, the latter being interrupted, of course, as at 31, to permit the desired projection of the extractors.

Thus, as the beaters 22 throw the bolls of cotton against the wall of the cylinder 21, the saw teeth of the extractors pick off or separate the cotton from the bolls and carry the same beyond the wall of the cylinder 21. Of course, it is to be understood that the peripheral surface of the extractors 23, while preferably of saw teeth of the conventional type, may nevertheless, within the spirit of the present invention, be constructed in any form so long as there is presented a large series of points or projections which will pick up the cotton from the boll as the latter is directed against the extractor by the heaters.

Surrounding the series of extractors and arranged concentric therewith is an air chamber 32 formed of inner and outer spaced walls 33, 34 closed at the top and bottom. This chamber is comparatively narrow and the exterior wall is open to diametrically opposed conduits 35 through which air under pressure is delivered to the chamber from any suitable source, as for example a pressure fan (not shown). The inner wall 33 of the chamber 32 is formed with vertically disposed narrow conical openings- 36, there being one such opening immediately adjacent each extractor and the opening being caused to direct the air from the pressure chamber onto the peripheral surface of the extractor in the direction in which the extractor is turning.

Immediately beyond each extractor is a guard wall 37 of imperforate sheet metal which extends throughout the height of the cylinder 21 and bears at its inner end against such cylinder 21 in close proximity to an extractor, the wall curving in vertical plane from its juncture with the cylinder 21 into contact with the inner wall 33 of the chamber 32 immediately adjacent the next extractor of the series. The guard walls thus form in effect a chamber. 38, the remaining sides of which are the adjacent portions of the inner wall 33 and the particular extractor. The air under pressure delivered to the openings 36 will thus force the cotton from the teeth of the particular adjacent extractor into the chamber 38.

It will be noted that the cotton on the teeth of a particular extractor, while subjected to the air under pressure from the chamber 32, is also subjected to more or less pressure generated by the beaters 23. That is to say, the beaters in their action create an air pressure which is directed through the cylinder 21 between the respective guard plates 37, thus affecting and assisting in removing from the teeth of the extractor the accumulated cotton. Thus, the cotton on such teeth is removed with certainty in the movement of the extractor from its position within the screen cylinder.

The cylinder 21 below the extractors converges at 39 and delivers the refuse to the hollow hub 40 of a beater 41. The arms of this beater sweep over a platform or support 42 onto which the cotton is delivered from the chambers 38. The heaters 41 scrape the accumulated cotton from the platform and deliver the same to a conveyor 43 suitably driven and supported and by means of which the accumulated cotton in a cleanly, separated condition is delivered to a further apparatus, for example, to the hopper of the gin stand for ginning. The hub 40 of the beater 41 is open at the bottom and overlies a chute 44 by which the refuse is delivered beyond the machine.

The improved machine contemplates an initial cleaning of the cotton to separate therefrom the dirt and like refuse and a simultaneous boll breaking, the cotton being automatically delivered to this cleaning end under suction. Following the cleaning and boll breaking. the cotton is delivered into the extractor and the cotton lint or fiber separated from the bolls by the extractors and delivered in a cleanly condition to a conveyor. It is to a be particularly noted that in the extractor the cotton lint or fiber is continually subjected to air under pressure, so that the cotton when finally delivered to the conveyor is in a light, fluffy and clean condition, a result highly desired and not only improving the product but materially improving the sale price of such product.

What is claimed to be new is:

1. A cotton treating machine including a cotton cleaner and a boll extractor to which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, said extractor comprising a screen cylinder, and a series of extractors operating through the wall of said screen cylinder, whereby to pick the cotton from the bolls and carry the same beyond the screen cylinder.

2. A cotton treating machine including a cotton cleaner and a boll extractor to which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, said extractor comprising a screen cylinder, a series of extractors operating through the wall of said screen cylinder, and means for delivering air under pressure against the extractors beyond the screen cylinder to separate the cotton from the extractors.

3. In a cotton treating machine, a cleaner for separating dirt and refuse from the cotton, and a boll extractor for separating the cotton from the bolls, said boll extractor including a perforate cylinder into which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, a series of boaters for directing the bolls against the wall of the screen cylinder, a series of circular extractors operating through the walls of the screen cylinder and peripherally provided with teeth to extract the cotton from the bolls, a chamber surrounding the extractors and open to air under pressure, andmeans for delivering air from said chambers onto and in line with each extractor to separate the cotton therefrom.

l. In a cotton treating machine, a cleaner for separating dirt and refuse from the cotton, and a boll extractor for separating the cotton from the bolls, said boll extractor including a perforate cylinder into which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, a series of beaters for directing the bolls against the wall of the screen cylinder, a series of circular extractors operating through the walls of the screen cylinder and peripherally provided with teeth to extract the cotton from the bolls, a chamber surrounding the extractors and open to air under pressure, means for delivering air from said chambers onto and in line with each extractor to sep- "arate the cotton therefrom, and guard plates arranged between the screen cylinder and said chamber and between the respective extractors.

5. In a cotton treating machine, a cleaner for separating dirt and refuse from the cotton, and a boll extractor for separating the cotton from the bolls, said boll extractor including a perforate cylinder into which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, a series of beaters for directing the bolls against the wall of the screen cylinder, a series of circular extractors operating through the walls of the screen cylinder and peripherally provided with teeth to extract the cotton from the bolls, a chamber surrounding the extractors and open to air under pressure, means for delivering air from said chambers onto and in line with each extractor to separate the cotton therefrom, guard plates arranged between the screen cylinder and said chamber and between the respective extractors, and a conveyor operating below the extractor to receive the cotton directed against such guard plates.

6. In a cotton treating machine, a cleaner for separating dirt and refuse from the cotton, and a boll extractor for separating the cotton from the bolls, said boll extractor including a perforate cylinder into which the cotton is delivered from the cleaner, a series of beaters for directing the bolls against the wall of the screen cylinder, a series of circular extractors operating through the walls of the screen cylinder and peripherally provided with teeth to extract the cotton from the bolls, a chamber surrounding the extractors and open to air under pressure, means for delivering airfrom said chambers onto and in line with each extractor to separate the cotton therefrom, and guard plates arranged between the screen cylinder and said chamber and between the respective extractors, the air pressure from such chamber being augmented by the pressure of air created by the heaters and directed through the screen cylinder onto the extractors.

7. A cotton treating machine including two independent instrumentalities arranged substantially in superimposed relation, the upper instrumentality providing a cotton cleaner and including means arranged in the cleaner for creating air suction for the re livery of cotton froma remote source to the cleaner, means operating in the cleaner to separate the refuse from the cotton, the lower instrumentality providing acotton extractor and including a screen cylinder to which the cotton is delivered by gravity from the upper instrumentality, a series of picking elements operating through the wall of the screen cylinder and serving to pick the cotton from the bolls of cotton within the screen cylinder, and means operating in the extractor beyond the screen cylinder for separating the cotton from the picking elements.

8. A cotton treating machine including two independent instrumentalities arranged substantially in superimposed relation, the upper instrumentality providing a cotton cleaner and including means arranged. in the cleaner for creating air suction for the delivery of cotton from a remote source to the cleaner, means operating in the cleaner to separate the refuse from the cotton, the lower instrumentality providing a cotton extractor and including a screen cylinder to which the cotton is delivered by gravity from the upper instrumentality, a series of picking elements operating through the Wall of the screen cylinder and serving to pick the cotton from the bolls of cotton Within the screen cylinder, and air under pressure operating in the extractor beyond the screen cylinder for separating the cotton from the picking elements.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOS. SELF. [L.s.] 

